You Will Know My Name!
The stage was set, the lights were dim, a hush had fallen over the crowd, an anxious breath was held for what was to come. A rustle of the curtain was preceded by the arrival of Equestria’s greatest entertainer. She walked on her hind hooves, her head bowed—her star-covered cap covering her features, save for the locks of silvery mane that peeked out from under the brim. She kept her cloak tight about her frame as the spotlight fell upon her, and as she made the middle of the stage, she paused.
Audience members squirmed in their seats as a long, dramatic moment passed.
"My dear ponies…”
The crowd inched to the edge of their seats, some chewing at their lips.
“I welcome you…” The entertainer lifted her head and they could see her violet eyes scanning them before a smirk erupted across her face. “To the amazing magic show of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” With a flourish, she tossed aside her cape and a pair of party cannons went off, showering the cheering throng with confetti and streamers.
"Thank you! Thank you!” the young filly cried over their cheers, bringing her forelegs up to calm them. “Trixie thanks you all for your adoration!” She settled back on all fours. “And now, my dear audience, watch and be amazed by the fantastically entertaining abilities of the Grrreat and Powerful Trrrrixie!”
The sky above burst into many colored explosions of light and sound. The crowd watched wide eyes, and the sole bear among the crowd clapped his meaty paws at the display.
"For my first act, I—er, the Great and Powerful Trixie shall make this piece of string dance!” She produced a bit of yarn from her cap and tossed it into the air. Her horn glowed and the string starting dancing in many swirls, figure eights, and even around in broad arcs.
The crowd cheered and a griffon whistled at her amazing talents.
With a loud, “Ta da!” she tossed the string behind her and bowed. “Thank you, thank you ever so much.” She raised her head and smiled as the manticore was on the edge of its seat, watching her with excited eyes. “For my next trick, I need a volunteer.”
Hooves, paws, and a stingered tail shot up into the air and waved around like party favors.
Trixie hummed before she pointed. “You there! Come join the Great and Powerful Trixie on stage!”
The crowd gave a mixed chorus of cheers and groans as a white mare with a pink mane trotted for the stage. The sphinx in the audience huffed and crossed his forelegs as she trotted past him.
Trixie smiled as the mare joined her. “And what is your name?”
"I’m Lulu.” The mare squealed and pranced in place. “I’m so excited to be here. I’m such a huge fan!”
"A huge fan of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Then she shall make sure that you have the time of your life, Lulu.” Trixie turned back for the crowd. “Who here would like to see the Great and Powerful Trixie made our special volunteer invisible?”
The crowd cheered and Trixie turned back to her volunteer. “So how about it, Lulu? Would you like to become invisible?”
Lulu’s white cheeks took on a rosey hue. “It would make it easier for us to get a cookie from the jar.”
Trixie blinked. “It would! Why hasn’t Trixie thought of that—”
Someone from the audience cleared their throat.
“—Right, back to our show!” She gave a broad sweep of a foreleg and a large, brightly decorated box appeared on stage. “Now, my assistant will step inside and the Great and Powerful Trixie shall make her vanish before your very eyes!”
The crowed ‘ooohed’ at her and many squirmed anxiously in their seats.
As Trixie began to close the door, Lulu gave her a cautious look. “Worry not, dear assistant, the Great and Powerful Trixie will keep you safe.”
Lulu nodded even as Trixie closed the door. She turned back to the crowd and threw her forelegs out wide. “Witness the amazing magical skills of the Great and Powerful Trrrixie!”
She turned and waved her forehooves around mysteriously. “Presto, chango, begone… oh!”
The box gave a bright flash, causing the crowd to look away. When the looked back they saw that the box stood wide open, Lulu having completely vanished.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the manticore roaring its approval.
"But where’d she go?” the griffon asked.
"Worry not, Gerard, the Great and Powerful Trixie will make her appear—” her horn lit and Lulu appeared back in her seat, an awed expression on her face. “—just like that!”
The crowd cheered wildly for her, howls of approval echoed around her even as Lulu blushed brightly from the attention.
"And now, for the final act!” Trixie cried as she stood tall on her hind legs and spread her forelegs out, causing all gazes to fall upon her. “Trixie shall do the most wonderful, stupendous magical act that Equestria has ever seen before!”
"What’cha gonna do?” the bear called out.
She turned her wide grin to him. “Glad you asked, Burly, the Great and Powerful Trixie is going to make everyone here… fly!”
Astonished gasps from the crowd hilled the area, and they began talking excitedly with each other.
"That’s right, everyone, to the sky with all of you!” Her horn glowed and her entire audience was surrounded in her magical aura. As one they lifted up into the sky and flew around—much to the delight of every audience member. Happy cheers, squeaks of surprise, and shouts amazement filled her stage as the magician pulled off the greatest magical feat ever!
-0-
Maximus Lulamoon leaned against the doorframe to his daughter’s room, watching her tossing her stuffed animals into the air. A warm smile crossed his face as she giggled to herself. Whatever she was imagining, he knew she was enjoying it. Finally, tiring herself out, she collapsed onto her bed and hugged her stuffed mare closely.
"That’s right, Lulu. Twixie is going to be a great magician one day. Just like Daddy is.”
His smile grew wider and he stepped out of the room. “Hold on to that dream, Sweet Pea,” he whispered as he walked down the stairwell.